The incoming leader of House Democrats said Wednesday he and his colleagues will continue to challenge the Republican majority at the North Carolina Legislature to do what is best to improve people’s lives in the state.
The House Democratic Caucus meeting at the Legislative Building elected Rep. Larry Hall of Durham County as the minority leader for the next two years. Hall said he was the only candidate and won by acclamation. Hall, 57, is an attorney and former Marine Corps officer who joined the House in 2006 and served as a caucus whip since 2009.
Hall takes the leader’s job at a low point for Democrats in the state as Republicans control both the executive and legislative branches for the first time since 1870 starting next month. Democrats will hold just 43 of the 120 House seats. Hall said no one really knows how the relationship between the GOP-led Legislature and Republican Gov.-elect Pat McCrory will play out.
House Democrats will “look out for the interests of the people of North Carolina and hope we keep them from getting caught up in any dispute” Republicans may have, Hall said at a news conference, surrounded by fellow House Democrats.
Hall said Republicans in charge of the Legislature since 2011 have had time now to establish a record upon which they can be judged.
Democrats “are going to have an opportunity to continue to make recommendations about what is better and how we can do it better to help the people of North Carolina.” Hall said Democrats will make sure those recommendations get heard by the voters if they don’t get fully aired in the Legislative Building.
Hall said a specific policy agenda will be developed and other caucus leaders will be chosen later.
You can catch Larry Hall’s talk show every other Sunday on Foxy 107/104 from 10am-11am.
